When we are thinking about what kinds of sensory supportive and skill building opportunities to put in our environment for children to explore, it’s always a balance between things that support calming and recover, give energy to the body through speed, unpredictability, and crashing, and things that build skills. Children want to achieve and feel successful. It is a basic human need we all possess. There are no stickers or behavior charts that give the same feeling of pride and success as feeling like you “can do” and “are good at” something that used to be challenging. This holiday, make sure that you don’t just put regulating gifts under the tree for your child who loves sensory play, add a few skill building activities and turn them into the perfect obstacle course!